Clearing the Air to Smokefree 2025

Teen tobacco use has dropped to a historic low across New
Zealand, bringing renewed hope of progress on our nationwide
journey to smokefree.

Findings from the Action for
Smokefree 2025 (ASH) survey have revealed not only are an
ever-increasing number of people stubbing out their
cigarettes, but there has been a significant decrease in the
uptake of smoking amongst students.

Recent data shows
that 2.1 percent of year ten students surveyed smoked daily,
down from 15.2 percent in the year 2000. In addition, the
number of students who have never smoked has increased from
33% in the year 2000 to 82% in 2017.

This overall decline
in tobacco uptake and support for a smokefree generation is
echoed locally. Recent controlled purchase operations
(CPOs) of tobacco retailers conducted by Toi Te Ora Public
Health (Toi Te Ora) have been met with encouraging results.

CPOs involve an underage person attempting to purchase
tobacco from retailers under controlled conditions with the
purpose of reducing the impact of tobacco related harm,
especially in young people, by checking retailers’
understanding and adherence to tobacco legislation. None of
the 11 retailers visited by Toi Te Ora sold tobacco to an
underage person.

The series of compliance checks were
conducted in the lead up to Smokefree May, which promotes
and encourages smokefree lives and has the theme, ‘It’s
about whānau’. “Smokefree May reminds us of the
importance of protecting children from exposure to
tobacco,” says Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil
Shoemack. He adds, “This includes reducing access to
tobacco products.”

“It is pleasing to see local
tobacco retailers visited across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes
districts are meeting their legal responsibilities and
refusing to sell to children.”

Dr Shoemack believes we
all have a part to play to continue to clear the air. “If
we protect children from exposure to tobacco marketing and
promotion, reduce the supply of, and demand for tobacco, and
provide the best possible support for quitting, we will
achieve the Smokefree Aotearoa goal.”

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